Letter: ‘E Pluribus Unum’ better Courthouse inscription

A few days ago a vote was taken and passed to post the phrase "In God We Trust" on the front of our courthouse. The assertion being that this is our national motto.

Comment

Oakridger - Oak Ridge, TN

Writer

Posted Feb. 26, 2013 at 5:55 PM
Updated Feb 26, 2013 at 5:56 PM

Posted Feb. 26, 2013 at 5:55 PM
Updated Feb 26, 2013 at 5:56 PM

OAK RIDGE

To the Editor:

A few days ago a vote was taken and passed to post the phrase "In God We Trust" on the front of our courthouse. The assertion being that this is our national motto. As an American born and raised in this county, I believe it is important to point out it is not and cannot be such for no other reason than it does not represent America as a whole. It does not represent us as well as the original and only true national motto of "E Pluribus Unum," which I can and will support the posting of. We are united in our freedoms, not unanimous in our beliefs.

I wonder if the group pushing for "IGWT" on the front of the courthouse would be as willing to push for the following phrases. "Praise Be To Allah" (Muslim), "Light Dispels Darkness, Wisdom Dispels Ignorance"(Buddhist), and "There Is No God” (Anti-theist). Proponents may try to say there is historical significance to "IGWT." Let me be the first to tell them, "Bullsquat!" Have religions been a part of our history? Yes. Have they been the sole or dominant reason for the founding and growth of our nation? No! Our nation was founded so we could govern ourselves with a representative tax structure. Most people came here and still come here for economic opportunity. A chance to better their lives not just or primarily, although including, religious freedom.

This nation was founded on the principles of life, liberty, individual freedom and responsibility, the pursuit of happiness, etc. These principles have been around since before there were Jews or Christians in this world. They are secular, they are humanist, they are atheist principles. And even though Christian sects may have adopted some or all of them, we should not brand them as Judeo-Christian. One would be hard pressed to find our founding principles in either their writings or actions. The founding fathers, though many were theists, knew this and founded our government to be based on the laws of mankind and not god, any god. In other words, atheist. They knew this was the best way to protect freedom of religion as well as from.

Therefore, I ask that all good citizens of this county, and most especially the commission, to stop this abomination, this usurping of our public building. It is there to promote the American way of life and not be a billboard for religion. Any religion, regardless of its popularity. And let me head a few respondents off at the pass. Telling the people of a religion that they do not control or solely own the public square and buildings is not banishing them from them. Neither is it an infringement of their first amendment rights. It is not an attack upon a religion, on all religions, or upon American culture to remind people that this nation's greatness does not come from their god or gods, or the practice of any one religion; but, rather it comes from all of our constitutionally recognized rights whether one believes they exist naturally or came from a god. No religion, no deity deserves or has a right to special recognition as a permanent or more prominent display on public grounds than the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights.